Method for manufacturing a tribological component

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an annular tribological component in the form of a seal or a sliding bearing of a brittle material. In order to attain the necessary sealing action even with a segmented construction, without expensive reprocessing being necessary in connection with the manufacture of segment surfaces bounding on one another, it is proposed that the annular component be formed of segments made by breaking a ring element and that the segments be assembled such that fractured surfaces fitting one another lie one upon the other.

1. Method for manufacturing a ring-shaped tribological component which is a sealing ring or sliding bearing with an outer peripheral surface, inner surface, and lateral surfaces, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a one-part ring of brittle material, 
 forming a plurality of depressions in the one-part ring extending from at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner surface, the depressions being in a number corresponding to a desired number of segments into which the one-part ring is to be broken, 
 inserting successively into each of said depressions a tool having a conical tip with flattened surfaces, the flattened surfaces being oriented substantially parallel to the lateral surfaces, thereby breaking the one-part ring into the plurality of segments with fractured surfaces running radially and transversely in relation to the lateral surfaces, and 
 assembling the segments to construct the tribological component. 
 
     
     
       2. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each said depression is constructed proceeding from a non-functionally relevant surface of the subdivided ring and ends at a distance in relation to the functionally relevant surfaces. 
     
     
       3. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each said depression is constructed proceeding from at least one of the outer and inner surface of the subdivided ring and runs radially. 
     
     
       4. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each said depression is created with a non-cutting method or through a cutting processing method. 
     
     
       5. Method according to  claim 4 , wherein the non-cutting method comprises pressing into the one-part ring in a green stage. 
     
     
       6. Method according to  claim 4 , wherein the cutting processing method comprises milling, boring or eroding into a percolated ring. 
     
     
       7. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of depressions comprises at least three said depressions formed in the one-part ring, distributed over the outer peripheral surface or the inner surface. 
     
     
       8. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of depressions comprises three said depressions distributed evenly over the outer peripheral surface or inner surface. 
     
     
       9. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein each depression is formed along an axis lying approximately centrally between the lateral surfaces of the one-part ring. 
     
     
       10. Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one-part ring has a known height, and each depression has a depth of ⅔ to ⅚ of the height of the one-part ring. 
     
     
       11. Method according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising forming a further depression into the outer peripheral surface of the one-part ring, and inserting into said further depression a latching or fixing element.